Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed Camping provides free pet-friendly sites with fire rings near West Yellowstone, approximately 30 minutes from the national park's west entrance. Dogs are permitted throughout the camping area with standard leash requirements. Several campers report easy access to walking paths around the lake where pets can exercise, though the area lacks designated pet waste stations. Targhee Creek offers similar dispersed camping options for pet owners, maintaining a pet-friendly environment with ample space for dogs to explore. Beautiful views and proximity to wildlife viewing opportunities make this location popular with pet owners. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs with no reservation requirements, though the gravel access roads can become rough in sections.
The lakeside locations provide excellent opportunities for pets to cool off during summer months, with Henry's Lake offering convenient water access for dogs. Moose sightings are common near the creek areas, necessitating proper pet control to avoid wildlife confrontations. Though the dispersed camping areas lack formal amenities, nearby Henry's Lake State Park Campground offers more developed pet-friendly options with water and electric hookups for those seeking additional conveniences. Local campers recommend bringing extra water for pets as summer temperatures can rise significantly during daytime hours. The open meadow areas provide ample space for dog exercise, though campers should be prepared for potentially muddy conditions after rainfall when accessing sites closer to water sources.
"The fire pit was also located in this area but safely away from the table. The green meadows, surrounding trees, and excellent maintenance made this a beautiful campground."
"Walking up road we had access to a number of trails some of which are for UTVs but were not busy while we were there. LOTS of RV groups up the road."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $17 - $125 / night
"Make sure you keep your wheels on the room as you turn off of highway 20. It's narrow."
"No cell phone service with Verizon but very close to lots of great parks and trails."
"It is also close to Coolidge ghost town if you want to check it out. That is ultimately what brought up out this way and what a neat place to hike!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 / night
"This campground is situation on Henrys Lake and provides amazing views from the campground. There are trails to explore without going too far."
"Save money with the Idaho State Parks Pass. RV and tent camping fishing and boating. I have stayed here numerous times. Cell service spotty but can be achieved."
from $60 - $70 / night
"East Creek is located 40 min south of Dillon, MT near Lima (15 miles north of the Montana/Idaho state line just off I-15)."
"Awesome campground with simple access from Lima, well maintained and primo location. Couldn’t get the hand pump well to draw any water but creek access at the base of the CG area is easy."
"This site is about 20 miles west of Yellowstone in Idaho. Great spot with easy access. Beautiful views and the blue mountains in the distance at sunset make this site a crowd pleaser."
"We originally wanted to stay farther south in Idaho after leaving Jackson but we weren’t happy with the location."
"What a treat to drive through Centennial Valley and get to camp in this great spot. Views all around and to wake up to a Trumpeter Swan swimming and eating right off our campsite was awesome."
from $7 / night
"This campground is located in the heart of Island Park. Close to a few general stores if you are in need of supplies."
"Riverside Park Campground, Irwin, Idaho In Caribou-Targhee NF/Palisades Wilderness near Bridger- Teton NF."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $75 / night
"Beautiful views of the lake and surrounding mountains. Lots of spots but we were the only ones here in late October! Good walking area for the dog."
"The dogs are loving it and the bird watching is awesome!"
GuideGreat choice for an overnight between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Easy in and out with our 36’ motorhome and tow vehicle. We chose the first spot we came to. It was a big pull-through. There was quite a bit of traffic, but it didn’t disturb us. We could see many other sites, but we wanted to be ready to pull out first thing the next morning. Got a good night’s sleep!
GuideGreat little spot! You have your choice between the view of the wide open field or you have the little stream in the back.
ScoutI've stayed at this site every year since 2016, for fishing and bird watching. My first years there, it was a true BLM dispersed camping site. People camped wherever they wanted, many right on the lake shore. The place got loved to death though, starting in 2020 when COVID refugees moved in. In 2023, the BLM started making changes. The lake shore was completely blocked off, which reduced the area where people could camp and the size of the rigs they could drive in, because there wasn't a good place to turn a big rig around. Then in 2025 a new camping area had been constructed with designated sites, well off the lake. These sites have fire rings and picnic tables. They're level, many are pull through, and they're arranged in a loop so it's not a problem to turn around. But you can't camp along the road that goes from the boat ramp to Hope Creek, as before. I was fine camped in the new area in 2026, but of course it wasn't the same. There are still dispersed sites at the top of The Cliffs and all along Red Rock Road though.
RangerThis campground is in a great location, about 15 miles SW of Yellowstone. Nestled on the shore of Henry's Lake in several loops, all but the tent area have various combinations of electric, water, and sewer hookups. We had site 23 in the Blue Dun loop, which had water, electric, and a great view of Henry's Lake and the nearby mountains. A nice walking path along the shoreline of the lake and marsh offers a chance to stretch your legs and enjoy the view. Only downfall here was the lack of a dump station, though some sites in the Caddis loop have full hookups with sewer. Good ATT cell signal. Not much privacy between campsites, but who looks at them when you can be looking at the scenery?
GuideI'm here at the offseason. What a wonderful place, wonderful people.
GuideThere are quite a few sites here for dry camping. Roads were decent however larger rigs may struggle venturing into the trees. We rode our Ebikes to Henry’s Lake - such a beautiful ride. ATV trails connect for miles. We visited in late September and cows were roaming thru the sites. There were very few campers near - great place!
TravelerThe reason it’s a 5 is because Preston hooked us up last minute with a spot and electrical. Everything else in west Yellowstone closed or full. Looks like a great spot when RV park is open!
TravelerReally nice quiet place. We enjoyed our stay. There’s a lake here and while we stayed the water was like glass! It provides a perfect reflection of the surroundings. There’s a highway close but we didn’t hear a thing while we slept.
LegendI can't give it a 5 because it doesn't have electricity or water, but as a place to stop for ten bucks a night, it's fantastic. They do provide trash pickup, level spots, shade pit toilets and some recreational items like volleyball space, a dock and a boat ramp and a frisbee golf course.
Dispersed camping options near Spencer, Idaho provide access to the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and surrounding BLM lands. The area sits at elevations between 5,900-6,800 feet with continental climate patterns creating distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-85°F with afternoon thunderstorms common during July and August.
Fishing opportunities: Henry's Lake offers excellent fishing for cutthroat and brook trout. "Right on beautiful Henry's Lake. Room for 6-12. Stated here for several days in a 40' motorhome," notes a visitor to Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed.
Creek exploration: The numerous creeks in the area provide cooling relief during summer months. At Targhee Creek, campers report: "The water this time of year is too high and too cold for us to swim/wade in but our dogs love it! Plenty of space to spread out and enjoy a private camping experience!"
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife watching times. At Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, visitors have observed "Trumper Swans, elk, deer, Pronghorn Antelope, grizzly bear, moose and hundreds of waterfowl."
Secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy available at dispersed sites. One reviewer at Stoddard Creek Campground mentions, "We arrived here kind of late at night. This campground is pay site but down the street a little further is free more primitive camping."
Clean facilities: Even rustic campgrounds maintain good standards. A camper at Stoddard Creek noted, "Level, clean sites - didn't even have to adjust the camper. Exceptionally clean pit toilet complete with mat, clean smelling(and close by)."
Dog-friendly environments: Most campgrounds near Spencer accommodate pets. At Riverside Campground, the environment is particularly conducive for dogs with "Great forestry in between sites. Lower A loop is closer to the river."
Weather variability: Be prepared for rapid changes. At Upper Lake Campground, a camper warns: "This is one of our favorites for early and late season camping. The weather is unpredictable so be prepared."
Insect activity: Bug populations fluctuate seasonally. At Henry's Lake, one camper reports: "The lake was swarming with non-bitting midges. They were quite literally everywhere and you could hear them flying, but they left us alone and we're not an issue."
Road conditions: Access routes vary widely in quality. For Targhee Creek, a visitor cautions: "The road is very rough with many potholes though. If the weather is good it would be a great place to be! We went while it was raining…would not recommend. It was incredibly muddy and had lots of standing water."
Campsite selection: Choose sites with natural features that entertain children. At Stoddard Creek, "We had a great time although the water as turned off because it was mid october and the water needs to be turned off before it freezes. They had just cleaned a bunch of trees so we had plenty of wood to burn."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Spencer, ID?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Spencer, ID is Stoddard Creek Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 22 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 82 dog-friendly camping locations near Spencer, ID, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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